[BC] Radio Is Not what it Used to be

[Jeff Loughridge]

Ahead of your time, as usual Bill.

I have been working for the last several years to achieve that level of IP 
integration. It is very rare now that I have to be on site to change 
something.

I can manage all of my Zephyrs via IP, with Remote Desktop most PC's, all 
servers, and Burk remote controls running AutoPilot. I also installed the 
Burk Web Interface for each station for connectivity independent of the PC 
running Autopilot.

I have DSL to each transmitter site for access when I am outside the WAN, 
and Moseley LanLinks to extend my corp. WAN to the TX sites for easy 
connectivity behind our firewall. Currently, the two don't talk for security 
reasons. The LanLink allows the running of backup servers and other critical 
devices off site, but control and updates as if they were in the same room.

I have multiple cameras and digital recorders at each studio and TX site, 
and can connect to them via IP from anywhere to see what's going on. I even 
have a camera at each site focused on the front of the transmitters so I can 
visually monitor problems. Recently at one site, we went to dead air but the 
audio was still very slightly there. Then it would come back, then go away. 
It did the same thing on the backup STL, backup processing, and backup TX. 
Through the DSL, I was able to connect to the Omnia and verify it was good, 
and was able to view the transmitter and rack. I noticed the "Lock" light 
was out on the Fleximod, then it magically lit up when the audio came back 
on. That time it stayed on for good. I sent someone out with a new coax 
cable and we haven't had a problem since. If I didn't have the benefit of 
that camera, it would have taken some additional time to figure out, and we 
never would have been sure since it didn't do it anymore that evening.

I just ordered the new Bird BPM-E with the web interface, and can't wait to 
get it going.

I carry my laptop with me at all times. With the Verizon Wireless broadband 
cellular service, wireless hotspots, or someone elses wired LAN, I can 
connect from anywhere and fix a problem.

I agree with you 100%. It's an IP world. Anyone still stuck on RS-232, 
RS-485, or whatever is living in the past. The next phase is full scale 
integration of these individual systems into a virtual rack as you 
described, or at least a consolidated web site for one stop administration. 
I've got some ideas.

Jeff Loughridge
Market Engineering Manager
WPGC FM-AM/WARW/WLZL/WJFK FM
Washington, DC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Sepmeier" <dcpowerandlight at hotmail.com>
To: <broadcast at radiolists.net>
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2005 2:19 PM
Subject: [BC] Radio Is Not what it Used to be


>
> Ok, so why don't we, the engineering community who maintains everything 
> everywhere, INSIST that manufacturers develop a TCP/IP - based standard 
> interface for EVERY single piece of gear made, so that we can operate and 
> troubleshoot EVERYTHING in ANY plant, ANYWHERE on Earth from our desks?
>
>
> Now that DSL high-speed 'net and IP are literally everywhere, why can't we 
> get this done as an industry?  Set a standard for the "backbone," a nice 
> GUI "virtual rack" system with drivers and GUI templates provided by the 
> manufacturers.   As you add gear that would be supplied with stock IP 
> ports that couldbe assigned static IP addresses on a corporate intranet or 
> be served by a simple firewall router to gate everything to the regular 
> 'net if there's no intranet in place you could set up a "virtual rack 
> command/ monitor/control GUI" for each location you're responsible for. 
> Then you could monitor / run EVERYTHING from your laptop on your desk at 
> home (or office, obviously).
>
> That anyone has to drive anywhere to do anything like 'pressing a button' 
> really makes no sense given the level of internetworking technology out 
> there on the shelf today.  We engineer-types should refuse to buy new gear 
> unless it can operate remotely - and in an integrated, standardized 
> fashion. No IP port?  No GUI drivers / software that will plug into a 
> "virtual rack" standard?  No standard?   No sale.
>